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Committee adopts amendment to restore SNAP outreach funding; bill laid over
Summary
The committee moved House File 45, adopting an amendment that reduced the requested appropriation from $1,000,000 to $500,000 per year for SNAP outreach grants. Testimony from food‑security groups urged restoration of outreach dollars to avoid a funding cliff and to help more Minnesotans access SNAP benefits.
Representative Perez Vega moved House File 45, a bill to restore state funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach grant program, and offered an A1 amendment to modify the appropriation. The A1 amendment reduced the proposed appropriation from $1,000,000 to $500,000 per fiscal year; the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus appropriation.
Why it matters: SNAP outreach grantees help eligible Minnesotans learn about and apply for SNAP benefits. Witnesses told the committee that outreach prevents a loss of federal benefits and supports local economies.
Mesa Sebert, Neighbor Services Outreach Manager at Second Harvest Heartland, told the committee outreach multiplies food resources: "For every 1 meal our food bank provides, SNAP can provide 9." Sebert said her team conducted more than 200 outreach events in 2024, handled more than 17,000 inquiries and assisted more than 8,500 Minnesotans with SNAP applications — a 20% increase over 2023 activity.
Janet Gracia, president and CEO of Neighborhood House, described large increases in demand at local food programs: "The need for food support in our community is greater than ever," she said, noting Neighborhood House distributed 47% more food this year compared with the prior year and operates a SNAP navigator to help families access benefits.
Yvette Risa Martinez, senior officer of advocacy at Greater Twin Cities United Way, said statewide 211 referrals related to food security increased 57% over three years and that in 2024 her organization made 15,000 referrals related to food access statewide. Committee members questioned whether outreach dollars or direct food support was the higher priority; witnesses said outreach increases federal benefit uptake and leverages local dollars.
Representative Perez Vega said the appropriation change reflected current budget constraints and the availability of a federal match. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and signaled willingness to consider reaching back to the full appropriation if budget conditions allow.
